BC farms > Thompson Okanagan & BC Rockies

Farm #1- New Farm!!

This Community Farm is a small co-operative farm community of 7 people, all in our 20s and 30s. We have 34 acres in the beautiful South Thompson Valley, right beside the Thompson River and within easy biking distance of a little town called Chase. Apprenticing with us mainly involves planting, weeding, and harvesting organic vegetables and fruit, learning-through-doing while working alongside a diverse group of co-op members, residents and WWOOFers. However, you'll also have plenty of opportunities to help out with the parts of our farm you're most interested in-- acquiring homesteading skills, food preservation, selling at local farmer's markets, taking part in animal care, learning about permaculture and composting, helping out in the bike shop, construction and carpentry, and helping complete a straw-bale house we have in the works. All our meals are delicious & organic with lots of our own produce from our gardens and animals, and everyone is expected to share in cooking and cleaning up. We are able to accommodate dietary preferences/needs, within reason. For accommodations there is a dormitory-style room available, but apprentices are encouraged to bring a tent and camp on our property--- this place gets really crowded during the growing season, and it's the only way to ensure yourself some privacy! We have a beautiful yoga studio, sauna, fire-pit, and newly-renovated library which apprentices are welcome to use. We ask that apprentices commit to 8 hours a day with 1 day off a week. Apprentices are welcome to arrive anytime from mid-April to the end of May, and stay until mid-September. A visit beforehand definitely seems like a good idea for all of us, if it's possible! A small stipend will be decided based on experience. If you have skills or knowledge which you think would be helpful to us, awesome, let us know! We're looking for apprentices who are hard-working, enthusiastic about sustainable organic farming, self-sufficiency, and earth-friendly living, and highly motivated to help out, learn and work alongside us!

Location: Chase, BC.

Farm #2

This 25 acre farm presents a rare opportunity to learn organic farm management from two generations of farmers. The farm is owned by a couple with 60 years’ combined experience as organic farmers and homesteaders. It is also home to a couple in their late 20s with 8 years’ farming experience between them, including two years each as apprentices through the SOIL program. Both couples are very committed to the educational component of the offered apprenticeship. We primarily produce vegetables and berries for sale at farmers’ markets, through our box delivery service, to grocery stores and restaurants. We also produce hay, have a small orchard and vineyard, and raise two horses. Apprentices will be supported to learn all aspects of the management of the farm, with a focus on the market garden. Apprentices would live in a comfortable, clean trailer and share meals with their hosts. We live in a summer paradise with great swimming, hiking, biking, and a stunning view of Okanagan Lake. There are also many opportunities to learn complementary farm-life skills such as food preservation, carpentry, and chainsaw operation.

Location: Peachland, BC. 24 km southeast of Kelowna, 20 minutes drive.

Farm #3 -Coming soon.

Farm #4

We welcome you to join our family as we continue laying the foundation for our recently established organic mixed farm. Born and raised on an organic family farm, we draw on diverse farming experiences and hope to pass on some knowledge to future organic farmers. Our farm is located in the sunny, mountainous Similkameen Valley of Southern BC. Here, with our three children we practice small-scale sustainable farming on 10 acres. We grow a wide variety of vegetables and fruit, primarily marketed direct at farmers' markets. We believe animals are an essential feature in the mixed, minimal input system of farming which we aim to employ. Apprentices at the farm can experience all stages of crop production and learn through work experience and discussion. A simple, well-functioning living area is provided and a generous stipend is offered. Outdoor recreational opportunities abound in our beautiful valley. We welcome enthusiastic individuals to join our family for the busy growing season. Learn how to live on a small farm while practicing techniques that will hopefully help contribute to a better earth for future generations.

Location: Cawston, BC .

Farm #5

This new certified organic farm is perched above Deep Creek 4 km from the lovely town of Peachland in the heart of the Okanagan Valley. The apprentice will experience the natural beauty of six acres of farmland featuring 40 old heritage plums, 35 new peach trees and a large vegetable garden. We have a small flock of heritage Canadian Chanticleer chickens which we want to breed this summer and three study bee-hives to pollinate our orchard and vegetable gardens. The Owners are realizing a lifetime goal to create a sustainable farm and have only been farming since 2007, but they are learning fast and have developed a plan to bring the farm back to its original productivity over the next five years. The ideal apprentice is a collaborative learner who is not looking for experienced farmer mentors, but wants to join in the adventure of a new farm. There is land available for the apprentices to experiment with their own garden while assisting with the farm garden.

Location: Peachland, BC.

Farm #6

Join us on our 12 acre certified organic farm located near Enderby in the North Okanagan Shuswap. We are a family farm with 3 children. We grow a large variety of vegetables and greenhouse tomatoes, which are sold at farmers markets and local stores. We use primarily hand work, and some tractor power. We also run a small puppet museum on the farm and organize cultural events. Here is an opportunity to learn small scale intensive agriculture.We accept apprentices from April until October.

Location: Enderby, BC. 88 km north of Kelowna, 1 hr 10 minutes drive.

Farm #7

Established in 1962, this farm has always used organic growing methods. We are located in an environmentally unique area of desert and grassland on the Similkameen River, in southern BC. This area is renowned for its long, hot, dry summers and mild winters. On our farm we choose to cultivate crops that are particularly suited to our distinct growing conditions. This premise aids in water conservation, disease and pest control, and ensures a healthier, tastier product. Our largest area of ground crop is devoted to varieties of winter squash. We also grow field cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplant, melon, peppers, herbs and fruit, and hothouse cucumbers and tomatoes. Our family’s long standing commitment to producing food using organic methods stems from concern for the environment, and an understanding of the role organic methods have in maintaining a healthy soil, producing nutritious foods, and promoting sustainable agriculture. You will have separate accommodation (cabins, an RV, tents in season) with full access to the house and amenities. Our diet is seasonal, focused on what we grow, with conscientious omnivorous options (our own eggs, chickens, and wild game). With full season commitment a stipend and production based bonus are possible.

Location: Cawston, BC. 110 km south of Kelowna, 1 hr 30 minutes drive.

Farm #8

The farm is located in the Similkameen valley, 8 kms from Keremeos. The river is 2 kms west of the farm, good for swimming and relaxing nearby during the heat of the day. There are hiking trails up the surrounding mountains into the back country or down by the river. I am a young farmer who has over 5 years of experience growing vegetables, this will be my second season on this land. I have a diploma from Kwantlen University in Greenhouse growing. The farm is 6 acres of field and orchard, the farm is still growing in size. We are laid back and work schedules will change weekly depending on what crop needs to be worked on. The work to be done are weeding, planting, laying out areas, harvesting, watching for pests and diseases and maintaining areas. The accommodations are the house which you will have your own room and meals are included. There is a stipend we will offer it will be negotiated.

Location: Cawston, BC. 50 kms away from Penticton and 45 km away from Osoyoos.

Farm #9

We are a diverse, 26 acre, family farm operated by two generations of the Fryatt family. We pasture raise heritage breeds of pigs, cattle, sheep, chickens, turkeys, and rabbits for meat, breeding stock, and fibre. We also operate a Community Supported Agriculture vegetable box program for fifty families, June through October. We believe in sustainable farm practises that ensure economic viability and long term stewardship of the land. Ranfurly Farm can provide apprentices with a rich and diverse set of experiences not often available in today’s agricultural climate. Apprentices can learn animal husbandry, market gardening, and sustainable operation of a diversified small farm. We offer the opportunity to learn from four farmers with decades of agriculture experience, while surrounded by the scenic beauty of the Shuswap. We are 20 km from Chase, and within 1/2 an hour there is superb hiking, biking, swimming, kayaking and canoeing.

Location: Turtle Valley, 20 km east of Chase, BC.

Farm #10

Our 12 acre farm is located on the beautiful Shuswap River 13 km north of Enderby, BC. (Great swimming and canoeing). The garden takes up about 9 acres (4 leased) and the remainder is pasture for some dairy goats and horses. Our focus and sole income is vegetable growing and as an apprentice you will have the opportunity to learn about all aspects of a successful market garden: VEGETABLE PRODUCTION: field preparation, seeding in plug trays and directly into the soil, transplanting young plants into the field, watering the seedlings and irrigation of the crops, organic methods of pest control, cultivating, hoeing, weeding by hand, etc PREPARING FOR MARKET: Harvesting ripe produce, sorting with quality control, washing, packaging or bunching, putting orders together, labelling, record keeping, storing vegetables appropriately in the cooler SELLING AT THE FARMERS MARKET: with focus on quality and appearance of the vegetables and the market stand and consumer satisfaction in mind. You will be working with Heino, a German trained market gardener with a lot of knowledge to share, the family members, another apprentice and occasional volunteers. You will be living in a cosy cabin or a spare room in the house and share your meals with the family and whoever else is around at the time. We enjoy food and the fresh vegetables very much, so meals are fun. Dishes and household chores are shared as well.

Location: Enderby, BC. 93 km north of Kelowna, 1 hr 20 minutes drive.

Farm #11

We are a young family who farm approximately 40 acres in the beautiful Similkameen Valley. We strive on growing healthy food using organic methods and raising happy pastured animals. We sell our produce mostly at farmers markets and restaurants throughout the Vancouver area. We are a very diversified farm who care for and manage the land responsibly. We grow an array of produce from peaches, apricots, nectarines, apples, onions, peppers, tomatoes, corn, garlic and more. We have been farming since 2002 and finalist in the outstanding young farmer of the year, 3 years in a row- 2005, 2006, 2007. We have also won the organic harvest award from COABC for the best direct farm marketer. We believe in Organic sustainable farming but we also believe in energy efficiency and taking advantage of what mother nature provides to us. We use geothermal energy for heating and cooling our home. We also harvest the sun and use a air source heat pump for our new drying and 5 bedroom apprentice building witch includes full kitchen, bathroom, wash and drier. Transportation to & from Vancouver is available. Non-smoker. A stipend is offered.

Location: Cawston, BC. 112 km south of Kelowna, 1 hr 30 minutes drive.

Farm #12 -New Farm!!

We live in the rural community of Johnson's Landing in the north east corner of Kootenay Lake. Our property is a 15 min walk down wooded trails to a beautiful community beach. There is a plethora of hiking, biking and camping around us. Between Patrick and Colleen, they have a combined 20 years farming experience and have been running an organic seed company, Stellar Seeds, since 2000. Our farm is about 4 acres of beautiful SW sloping land. We are in the process of building outbuildings, including animal shelters, greenhouse and wood sheds. Work includes, planting, weeding, and harvesting vegetables for market, harvesting and cleaning vegetable seeds and small animal care (chickens, ducks, goats). There is also the opportunity to work at the local farmer's market. Accommodation will include a separate living space with your own cooking facilities. We eat lunch and dinner together when working together; breakfasts and meals on days off are on your own. A small stipend is provided.

Location: about 50 km NE of Kaslo and 100 from Nelson in the West Kootenays.

Farm #13

Consider being part of our 14 acre farm located just south of Armstrong in the beautiful North Okanagan Valley, a half hour drive from both Okanagan and Kalamalka Lakes. Learn the many facets of an intensely managed high production organic farm from seeding through to marketing. We grow a wide diversity of vegetables (field and high tunnels) plus strawberries, raspberries, plums, cherries, and peaches. The walnuts and hazelnuts in our permaculture section of the farm are just starting to produce. We also have free range laying hens. We welcome anyone wanting to learn about growing good food organically, from totally inexperienced city folk to advanced apprentices eager to work as farm managers. A generous stipend or wage is available as well as separate housing, either in a rustic cabin or a modern, independent 2 bedroom suite. There is a long term opportunity to farm with us if we feel there is a good fit after a full season working here. Come and help direct market produce at three farmer's markets from late April to October. Learn how to operate a Community Shared Agriculture Program or a berry u-pick. Help harvest and market baby vegetables to gourmet restaurants. Eat fabulous food!

Location: Spallumcheen, BC. 70 km north of Kelowna and 17 km from Vernon.

Farm #14

So much to learn, so little time. come and experience the ins and outs of market gardening, cooperative business operation and so much more at Notch Hill Organic/ Sudo Organic Farm Cooperative. You will grow a full range of field vegetables including many specialty crops; we guarantee to have something you've never heard of. Living and working on our community farm you can learn greenhouse peration, flower and vegetable seed saving, retail and wholesale marketing and so much more.

Location: Sorrento, BC. 79 km east of Kamloops, 1 hr drive.

Farm #15

This farm is a 25 acre farm locatedin south Cawston in between Keremeos & Osoyoos B.C. We are looking to find a couple of eager apprentices that really want to experience the reality of making a living off the farm, there is the lifesyle and food but also the self motivation and feeling apart of getting it all together as a team. To fill the truck and trailer with everything from basil to tomatoes and cherries apricots etc. Experiences range from planting a seed or tree to harvesting, from the importance of watering plants and animals to the joy of eating a fresh picked peach. Getting up early so you can play in the river in the heat of the day. Two small houses for workers are available. Mountain out the back door, river close by, town is 18 km away. Lots of biking and hiking & riding for experienced horse people. A stipend is negotiable. We like to work hard, play harder, eat really well,and sleep like babies.

Location: Cawston, BC.

Farm #16

This farm is an 11 acre family farm located on a sunny mountain slope in the semi-desert Similkameen Valley. We produce fresh, frozen and dried fruit, jams, honey, eggs, meats, vegetables and some other miscellaneous products. We have an orchard and various animals - a milk cow, goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, bees, and a large vegetable garden. We have been living here and developing organic methods since 1973. We would like to welcome those interested in working and learning together with us as apprentices. We have plenty of room. Apprentices would be invited to live and eat with our family. Most of the food we eat is grown and produced on the farm. Apprentices would also be offered a reasonable stipend. Our farm could be of interest to those looking for a viable alternative to modern industrial farming, be it conventional or organic. We believe in and practice small-scale mixed organic farming with an emphasis on diversity, traditional methods, and on-farm inputs. The work/ learning experience at the farm would assuredly be rich and varied. So, too, play. There are various opportunities for recreation in the Similkameen Valley, including swimming in the river, hiking, etc. We look forward to sharing our skills, understandings and way of life.

Location: Cawston, BC.

Farm #17

We are located right on the beautiful and pristine Slocan River, about 10 minutes by bike and 20 minutes by foot to "downtown" Winlaw, which is about 45km from Nelson. There are lots of opportunities for swimming (we have a great swimming hole), tubing down the river, biking, hiking, canoeing... Our farm was started in 2009, by two brothers in their early 30s and their partners, who wanted to get out of the city and learn to grow their own food, and feed the local community. We are only in our 3rd year, but we are growing a wide variety of vegetables with a focus on heirlooms, and oyster and shiitake mushrooms for farmers markets, restaurants and a 10-member CSA. Our property is 13 acres of which about 3-5 is in production. Gord and Ange have done some WWOOFing in the past, ripped up many a backyard and took care of a community garden plot for several years before farming .Angela took some organic agriculture courses through the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, we've all taken various workshops, and we are building up a nice library. We are excited to be learning about the biology and ecology of this area, and we all have a special interest in birdwatching. The intern(s) will take part in all aspects of the farm operation including planting, weeding, harvesting, washing veggies, helping with light construction projects, watering, helping at the farmers markets, mowing the lawn, other regular duties, etc. Accommodation will be in a small converted coop cabin with a queen bed, small comfy chair, table and chair, dresser, lamp, or in a spare bedroom in the house. Access to the house for phone, internet, eating. Meals will be vegan, delicious and nutritious, and most meals will be shared or ingredients will be available to make your own. There will be a small bbq for non-vegan food if needed. We prefer non-cigarette smokers. Expect to work 8-10 hours per day, 5 or 6 days per week. A small stipend will be possible (approx $30/week).

Location: near Winlaw/Nelson, BC.